IVERSITY  OF 
NORTH  CAROLINA 

School  •  t    Library 

Soi«M«« 

nobin  Ywod 


TRANSFi        -  -      3 

JUVEi  5AL  C0L^ 


J821.08  239-915 

Robin  Hood 
Robin  Hood 


This  BOOK  may  be  kept  out  TWO  WEEKS 
ONLY,    and    is    subject   to   a    fine   of    FIVE 
2-TENTS  a  day  thereafter.   It  was  taken  out  on 
the  day  indicated  below: 


Aui  14*40 

wm  2ii9S« 

1970 

£§2 

AUG  2  2 1958 

Olftj    ,       _ 

AUG  9      1954 

1959 

JAN  2  0  J85§ 
JUGl^  1955 

UA3H 

MlG  1  2  1050 

AP23  5? 

j&  1*1958 

AUG2i  ig|| 

^62  2  1938 

J 

JUL  9      1966 

Lib.  lOM-Fe  '38 

■  1  7  869 

NC 


I  f  i 


X 


u%* 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hill 


http://archive.org/details/robinhoodhisdeedOOper 


r  1 1  HEN  garlands  they  brought  her  by  tzco  and  by  tvco, 
-*■      And  placed  them  all  on  the  bride's  head 


"^^ 


BOSTON  AND  NEW  YORK 

HOUGHTON  MIFFLIN  COMPANY 

ffilje  ftibersibe  IgteftS  Cambridge 

1923 


Copyright,  1906 
By  The  University  Press 


r 


Cbe  Ixttjcrsibe  ^Jrcss 

CAMBRIDGE  .  MASSACHUSETTS 
PRINTED  IN  THE  U.S.A. 


JO  MY  MOTHER, 

mm  drawings  mi 

ITIOHATELY  iHSCRmEO. 


m$m 


PAGE 

Robin  Hood's  Birth, 
Valour,  and  Mar- 
riage   15 

Robin  Hood  and  the 
Curtal  Friar.     .     .     31 

Robin  Hood  and  Alan- 
a-Dale 43 

Robin  Hood  and  the 
Bishop 53 

Robin  Hood  and  Queen 
Katherine  ....     61 

Robin  Hood's  Chase      .     73 

The  Bold  Peddler  and 
Robin  Hood     ...     81 

Robin  Hood  and  the 
Butcher 87 

Robin  Hood  and  the 
Beggar 97 

The  Noble  Fisherman     107 


Then  garlands  they 
brought  her  by 
two  and  by  two 

[p.  29]     Frontispiece 


FACING 
PAGE 


"Not  a  man  here  shall 
taste  my  March 
beer" 20 

They  fought  with  might 

and  main      ....       38 

Robin  Hood  in  the  forest 
stood 46 

The    Bride    looked    like    a 

queen 51 

Bade    him    for    Robin    Hood 

pray 60 

Robin  Hood  he  led  about      .     .       70 

"  I  am  come   to   speak  with    King 

Henry" 79 

They  went  to  a  tavern  and  there  they 

dined 86 

He   sold   more   meat   for  one 

penny 91 

"  God  speed,  God  speed,"  said 

Robin  Hood      .     .     .     .     101 

"Men  call  me  Simon  over  the  Lee"      .     .     .     Ill 


m 


.■i^.TT-i^^.\?V'rXBIwtvyTVtjtIiC^Tr. 


MoUn  $00^  JStrtft,  Watour, 
mttr  JHarrtagt 

^  BALLAD  of  bold  Robin  Hood ;  showing 
■**■  his  birth,  breeding;  valour,  and  marriage  at 
Titbury  Bull-running. 

lYlND  gentlemen,  will  you  be  patient  awhile  ? 

Ay,  and  then  you  shall  hear  anon 
A  very  good  ballad  of  bold  Robin  Hood, 

And  of  his  brave  man  Little  John. 

In  Locksley  town,  in  merry  Nottinghamshire, 

In  merry  sweet  Locksley  town, 
There  bold  Robin  Hood  he  was  born  and  was  bred, 

Bold  Robin  of  famous  renown. 

[17] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

The  father  of  Robin  a  forester  was, 
And  he  shot  with  a  lusty  strong  bow, 

Two  north  country  miles  and  an  inch  at  a  shot, 
As  the  Pinder  of  Wakefield  does  know. 

For  he  brought  Adam  Bell,  and  Clim  of  the  Clough, 

And  William  of  Clowdesle,1 
To  shoot  with  our  forester  for  forty  mark, 

And  the  forester  beat  them  all  three. 

His  mother  was  niece  to  the  Coventry  knight, 
Which  Warwickshire  men  call  Sir  Guy ; 

For  he  slew  the  blue  boar  that  hangs  up  at  the  gate, 
Or  mine  host  of  the  Bull  tells  a  lie. 

Her  brother  was  Gamwel,  of  Great  Gamwel-Hall, 

A  noble  house -keeper  was  he, 
Ay,  as  ever  broke  bread  in  sweet  Nottinghamshire, 

And  a  'squire  of  famous  degree. 

The  mother  of  Robin  said  to  her  husband, 
' '  My  honey,  my  love,  and  my  dear, 


Pronounced  Clowdel-le 

[18] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

Let  Robin  and  me  ride  this  morning  to  Gamwel, 
To  taste  of  my  brother's  good  cheer." 

And  he  said,  "  I  grant  thee  thy  boon,  gentle  Joan, 

Take  one  of  my  horses,  I  pray  : 
The  sun  is  arising,  and  therefore  make  haste, 

For  to-morrow  is  Christmas-day." 

Then    Robin    Hood's   father's    grey    gelding   was 
brought, 

And  saddled  and  bridled  was  he  ; 
God  wot  a  blue  bonnet,  his  new  suit  of  clothes, 

And  a  cloak  that  did  reach  to  his  knee. 

She  got  on  her  holiday  kirtle  and  gown, 

They  were  of  a  light  Lincoln  green  ; 
The  cloth  was  homespun,  but  for  colour  and  make 

It  might  have  beseemed  our  Queen. 

And  then  Robin  got  on  his  basket-hilt  sword, 

And  his  dagger  on  his  tother  side  ; 
And  said,  "  My  dear  mother,  let 's  haste  to  be  gone, 

We  have  forty  long  miles  to  ride." 

[19] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

When  Robin  had  mounted  his  gelding  so  grey, 

His  father,  without  any  trouble, 
Set  her  up  behind  him,  and  bade  her  not  fear, 

For  his  gelding  had  oft  carried  double. 

And   when   she   was   settled,   they   rode  to  their 
neighbours, 

And  drank  and  shook  hands  with  them  all  ; 
And  then  Robin  galloped,  and  never  gave  o'er, 

Till  they  'lighted  at  Gamwel-Hall. 

And  now  you  may  think  the  right  worshipful  'squire 

Was  joyful  his  sister  to  see ; 
For  he  kissed  her  and  kissed  her,  and  swore  a  great 
oath, 

"  Thou  art  welcome,  kind  sister,  to  me." 

To-morrow,  when  mass  had  been  said  in  the  chapel, 

Six  tables  were  covered  in  the  hall, 
And  in  comes  the  'squire,  and  makes  a  short  speech, 

It  was,  "  Neighbours,  you  're  welcome  all. 

But  not  a  man  here  shall  taste  my  March  beer, 
Till  a  Christmas  carol  he  does  sing:" 

[20] 


'  WDUT 


not  a  man  here  shall  taste  my  March  beer, 
III  a  Christmas  carol  lie  does  sing" 


ROBIN     HOOD 

Then  all  clapped  their  hands,  and  they  shouted  and 
sung, 
Till  the  hall  and  the  parlour  did  ring. 

Now  mustard  and  brawn,  roast  beef  and  plum  pies, 

Were  set  upon  every  table  : 
And  noble  George  Gamwel  said,  "  Eat  and  be  merry, 

And  drink  too,  as  long  as  you  're  able. " 

When  dinner  was  ended,  his  chaplain  said  grace, 
And,  "Be  merry,  my  friends,"  said  the  'squire  ; 

"  It  rains,  and  it  blows,  but  call  for  more  ale, 
And  lay  some  more  wood  on  the  fire. 

"  And  now  call  ye  Little  John  hither  to  me, 

For  Little  John  is  a  fine  lad 
At  gambols  and  juggling,  and  twenty  such  tricks, 

As  shall  make  you  both  merry  and  glad." 

When  Little  John  came,  to  gambols  they  went, 
B^*v  gentlemen,  yeomen,  and  clown  ; 

A     .  what  do  you  think  ?     Why,  as  true  as  I  live, 
Bold  Robin  Hood  put  them  all  down. 

[21] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

And  now  you  may  think  the  right  worshipful  'squire 

Was  joyful  this  sight  for  to  see  ; 
For  he  said,  "Cousin  Robin,  Thou'st  go  no  more 
home, 

But  tarry  and  dwell  here  with  me. 

"  Thou  shalt  have  my  land  when  I  die,  and  till  then 
Thou  shalt  be  the  staff  of  my  age. 
Then  grant  me  my  boon,  dear  uncle, ' '  said  Robin, 
"  That  Little  John  may  be  my  page. " 

And  he  said,  "Kind  cousin,  I  grant  thee  thy  boon  ; 

With  all  my  heart,  so  let  it  be. ' ' 
' '  Then  come  hither,  Little  John, ' '  said  Robin  Hood, 

"  Come  hither,  my  page,  unto  me. 

' '  Go  fetch  me  my  bow,  my  longest  long  bow, 
And  broad  arrows,  one,  two,  or  three  ; 

For  when  't  is  fair  weather  we  '11  into  Sherwood, 
Some  merry  pastime  to  see. ' ' 

When  Robin  Hood  came  into  merry  Sherwood, 
He  winded  his  bugle  so  clear ; 

[22] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

And  twice  five  and  twenty  good  yeomen  and  bold 
Before  Robin  Hood  did  appear. 

Where  are  your  companions  all? "  said  Robin  Hood, 
For  still  I  want  forty  and  three. 
Then  said  a  bold  yoeman,  ' '  Lo,  yonder  they  stand, 
All  under  the  greenwood  tree. 

As  that  word  was  spoken,  Clorinda  came  by, 
The  queen  of  the  shepherds  was  she  ; 

And  her  gown  was  of  velvet  as  green  as  the  grass, 
And  her  buskin  did  reach  to  her  knee. 

Her  gait  it  was  graceful,  her  body  was  straight, 
And  her  countenance  free  from  pride ; 

A  bow  in  her  hand,  and  a  quiver  of  arrows 
Hung  dangling  by  her  sweet  side. 

Her  eyebrows  were  black,  aye,  and  so  was  her  hair, 
And  her  skin  was  as  smooth  as  glass  ; 

Her  visage  spoke  wisdom,  and  modesty  too  ; 
Sets  with  Robin  Hood  such  a  lass! 

[23] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

Said  Robin  Hood,  "  Lady  fair,  whither  away? 

O  whither,  fair  lady,  away?  " 
And  she  made  him  an  answer,  "To  kill  a  fat  buck  ; 

For  to-morrow  is  Titbury  day. ' ' 1 

Said  Robin  Hood,  "Lady  fair,  wander  with  me 

A  little  to  yonder  green  bower ; 
There  sit  down  to  rest  you,  and  you  shall  be  sure 

Of  a  brace  or  a  leash  in  an  hour. 

And  as  we  were  going  towards  the  green  bower, 

Two  hundred  good  bucks  we  espy'd. 
She  chose  out  the  fattest  that  was  in  the  herd, 

And  she  shot  him  through,  side  and  side. 


1  Titbury,  or  Stutesbury  in  Staffordshire,  was  the  ancient  seat  of  the  Dukes 
of  Lancaster.  The  castle  was  long  the  scene  of  great  festivity  and  splendour. 
In  its  day  the  number  of  minstrels  attached  to  the  castle  became  so  great  that 
some  means  had  to  be  found  to  preserve  order  among  them  ;  so  one  of  their 
number  was  made  "  King  of  the  minstrels."  He  had  power  to  inflict  fines  and 
punishments,  but  as  he  often  went  beyond  the  bounds  of  justice  in  these 
penalties  a  court  was  held  eve?y  year  to  adjust  disputes.  When  the  business 
of  the  court  was  done,  there  was  a  feast  and  afterward  there  was  the  brutal 
amusement  of  "  bull  baiting.""  A  bull,  having  his  tail,  ears,  and  horns  cut 
off,  his  body  covered  with  soap,  and  his  nose  blown  full  of  pepper,  was  let 
loose.  If  the  minstrels  could  hold  him  long  enough  to  pull  out  a  handful  of 
hair  he  was  declared  to  be  their  property.  This  ballad  purports  to  be  written 
by  the  "  King  of  the  Fiddlers.'" 

[24] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"  By  the  faith  of  my  body,"  said  bold  Robin  Hood, 

' '  I  never  saw  woman  like  thee  ; 
And  com'st  thou  from  east,  or  com'st  thou  from 
west, 

Thou  need'st  not  beg  venison  from  me. 

"  However,  along  to  my  bower  you  shall  go, 

And  taste  of  a  forester's  meat." 
And  when  we  came  thither  we  found  as  good  cheer 

As  any  man  needs  for  to  eat. 

For  there  was  hot  venison,  and  warden  pies  cold, 
Cream  clouted,  with  honeycombs  plenty ; 

And  the  servitors  they  were,  besides  Little  John, 
Good  yeomen  at  least  four  and  twenty. 

Clorinda  said,  "  Tell  me  your  name,  gentle  sir  "; 

And  he  said,  '"Tis  bold  Robin  Hood: 
Squire  Gamwel  's  my  uncle,  but  all  my  delight 

Is  to  dwell  in  the  merry  Sherwood ; 

"For  'tis  a  fine  life  and  'tis  void  of  all  strife." 
"So  'tis,  sir,"  Clorinda  replied. 

[25] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

But  oh, ' '  said  bold  Robin,  ' '  how  sweet  would  it  be, 
If  Clorinda  would  be  my  bride ! ' ' 

She  blushed  at  the  motion,  yet  after  a  pause 
Said,  ' '  Yes,  sir,  and  with  all  my  heart. 
Then  let  us  send  for  a  priest, ' '  said  Robin  Hood, 
"  And  be  married  before  we  do  part." 

But  she  said,  ' '  It  may  not  be  so,  gentle  sir, 

For  I  must  be  at  Titbury  feast ; 
And  if  Robin  Hood  will  go  thither  with  me, 

I  '11  make  him  the  most  welcome  guest." 

Said  Robin  Hood,  "Reach  me  that  buck,  Little 
John, 

For  I  '11  go  along  with  my  dear  ; 
And  bid  my  yeomen  kill  six  brace  of  bucks, 

And  meet  me  to-morrow  just  here. " 

Before  he  had  ridden  five  Staffordshire  miles 

Eight  yeomen,  that  were  too  bold, 
Bid  Robin  Hood  stand  and  deliver  his  buck; 

A  truer  tale  never  was  told 

[26] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"  I  will  not,  faith,"  said  bold  Robin  ;  "  come,  John, 

Stand  by  me  and  we  '11  beat  'em  all- 
Then  both  drew  their  swords,  and  so  cut  'em  and 
slashed  'em 

That  five  of  them  did  fall. 

The  three  that  remained  call'd  to  Robin  for  quarter, 

And  pitiful  John  begged  their  lives. 
When  John's  boon  was  granted,  he  gave  them  good 
counsel, 

And  sent  them  all  home  to  their  wives. 

This  battle  was  fought  near  to  Titbury  town, 

When  the  bagpipes  baited  the  bull. 
I  'm  the  king  of  the  fiddlers,  and  I  swear  't  is  truth, 

And  I  call  him  that  doubts  it  a  gull; 

For  I  saw  them  fighting,  and  fiddled  the  while, 
And  Clorinda  sung  ' '  Hey  derry  down ! 

The  bumkins  are  beaten,  put  up  thy  sword,  Bob, 
And  now  let's  dance  into  the  town." 

Before  we  came  in,  we  heard  a  strange  shouting, 
And  all  that  were  in  it  looked  madly ; 

[27] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

For  some  were  on  bull-back,  some  dancing  a  morris,1 
And  some  singing  Arthur-a-Bradley. 

And  there  we  see  Thomas,  our  justice's  clerk, 

And  Mary,  to  whom  he  was  kind; 
For  Tom  rode  before  her,  and  called  Mary  madam, 

And  kissed  her  full  sweetly  behind: 

And  so  may  your  worships.    But  we  went  to  dinner 

With  Thomas,  and  Mary,  and  Nan. 
They  all  drank  a  health  to  Clorinda,  and  told  her 

Bold  Robin  Hood  was  a  fine  man. 

When  dinner  was  ended,  Sir  Roger,  the  parson 

Of  Dubbridge,  was  sent  for  in  haste; 
He  brought  his  mass-book,  and  he  bade  them  take 
hands, 

And  joined  them  in  marriage  full  fast. 

And  then,  as  bold  Robin  Hood  and  his  sweet  bride 
Went  hand  in  hand  to  the  green  bower, 


1  A  dance  at  one  time  common  in  England,  often  performed  in  pageants,  pro- 
cessions, or  May  games,  the  dancers  assuming  characters  of  romance.  As 
Robin  Hood  was  a  popidar  hero,  he,  Friar  Tuck,  Maid  Marian,  and  others  of 
his  company  were  often  represented  in  the  morris  dance. 

[28] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

The  birds  sung  with  pleasure  in  merry  Sherwood, 
And  't  was  a  most  joyful  hour. 

And  when  Robin  came  in  sight  of  the  bower, 

"Where  are  my  yeomen?  "  said  he. 
And  Little  John  answer'd,  "Lo,  yonder  they  stand, 

All  under  the  greenwood  tree." 

Then  garlands  they  brought  her  by  two  and  by  two, 
And  placed  them  all  on  the  bride's  head; 

The  music  struck  up,  and  we  all  fell  to  dance 
Till  't  was  time  that  we  all  were  a-bed. 


[29] 


BJQB1H  MDQD  AMD 


m  CURTAL  FKIA& 


mofcitt  noon  an*  the 
CurtaX  dfrtatr 

rTIHE  famous  battle  between 

-*■      Robin  Hood  and  Friar  Tuck 

lN  summer  time,  when  leaves  grow  green, 

And  flowers  are  fresh  and  gay, 
Robin  Hood  and  his  merry  men 

Were  disposed  to  play. 

Then  some  would  leap,  and  some  would  run, 

And  some  would  use  artillery ; 
'  Which  of  you  can  a  good  bow  draw, 
A  good  archer  for  to  be  ? 


Curtal  Friar  means  one  who  acted  as  porter  at  the  gate  of  a  monastery. 

[33] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"Which  of  you  can  kill  a  buck, 

Or  who  can  kill  a  doe  ? 
Or  who  can  kill  a  hart  of  greece ' 

Five  hundred  foot  him  fro  ?  " 

Will  Scadlocke  he  killed  a  buck, 

And  Midge  he  killed  a  doe, 
And  Little  John  killed  a  hart  of  greece 

Five  hundred  foot  him  fro. 

"God  bless  thy  heart,"  said  Robin  Hood, 

"That  hath  such  a  shot  for  me ; 
I  would  ride  my  horse  a  hundred  miles, 

To  find  one  could  match  thee. ' ' 

This  caused  Will  Scadlocke  to  laugh, 

He  laughed  full  heartily : 
"There  lives  a  curtal  friar  in  Fountains  Abbey 

Will  beat  both  him  and  thee. 

"  The  curtal  friar  in  Fountains  Abbey 

Well  can  a  strong  bow  draw ; 
He  will  beat  you  and  your  yeomen, 

Set  them  all  on  a  row. 


1  Greece  means  of  high  grade  —  a  prize. 

[34] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

Robin  Hood  he  took  a  solemn  oath, 

It  was  by  Mary  free, 
That  he  would  neither  eat  nor  drink 

Till  the  friar  he  did  see. 

Robin  Hood  put  on  his  harness  good, 

On  his  head  a  cap  of  steel, 
Broad  sword  and  buckler  by  his  side, 

And  they  became  him  weel. 

He  took  his  bow  into  his  hand, 
It  was  made  of  a  trusty  tree, 

With  a  sheaf  of  arrows  at  his  belt, 
And  to  Fountains  Dale  went  he. 

And  coming  into  Fountains  Dale, 

No  farther  would  he  ride ; 
There  he  was  aware  of  the  curtal  friar, 

Walking  by  the  water  side. 

The  friar  had  on  a  harness  good, 

On  his  head  a  cap  of  steel, 
Broad  sword  and  buckler  by  his  side, 

And  they  became  him  weel. 

[35] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

Robin  Hood  'lighted  off  his  horse, 

And  tied  him  to  a  thorn: 
"Carry  me  over  the  water,  thou  curtal  friar, 

Or  else  thy  life 's  forlorn." 

The  friar  took  Robin  Hood  on  his  back, 

Deep  water  he  did  bestride, 
And  spake  neither  good  word  nor  bad, 

Till  he  came  at  the  other  side. 

Lightly  leapt  Robin  off  the  friar's  back; 

The  friar  said  to  him  again, 
"  Carry  me  over  this  water,  thou  fine  fellow, 

Or  it  shall  breed  thy  pain." 

Robin  Hood  took  the  friar  on  his  back, 

Deep  water  he  did  bestride, 
And  spake  neither  good  word  nor  bad, 

Till  he  came  at  the  other  side. 

Lightly  leaped  the  friar  off  Robin  Hood's  back; 

Robin  Hood  said  to  him  again, 
"  Carry  me  over  this  water,  thou  curtal  friar, 

Or  it  shall  breed  thy  pain." 

[36] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

The  friar  took  Robin  on  's  back  again^ 

And  stept  in  to  the  knee; 
Till  he  came  at  the  middle  stream 

Neither  good  nor  bad  spake  he. 

And  coming  to  the  middle  stream, 

There  he  threw  Robin  in; 
"  And  choose  thee,  choose  thee,  fine  fellow, 

Whether  thou  wilt  sink  or  swim." 

Robin  Hood  swam  to  a  bush  of  broom, 

The  friar  to  a  wigger  wand; 
Bold  Robin  Hood  is  gone  to  shore, 

And  took  his  bow  in  his  hand. 

One  of  his  best  arrows  under  his  belt 

To  the  friar  he  let  fly; 
The  curtal  friar  with  his  steel  buckler 

Did  put  that  arrow  by. 

"Shoot  on,  shoot  on,  thou  fine  fell6w, 

Shoot  as  thou  hast  begun, 
If  thou  shoot  here  a  summer's  day, 

Thy  mark  I  will  not  shun. 

[37] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

Robin  Hood  shot  passing  well, 

Till  his  arrows  all  were  gone; 
They  took  their  swords  and  steel  bucklers, 

They  fought  with  might  and  main, 

From  ten  o'  th'  clock  that  very  day, 

Till  four  i'  th'  afternoon; 
Then  Robin  Hood  came  to  his  knees, 

Of  the  friar  to  beg  a  boon. 

"  A  boon,  a  boon,  thou  curtal  friar, 

I  beg  it  on  my  knee; 
Give  me  leave  to  set  my  horn  to  my  mouth, 

And  to  blow  blasts  three." 

"That  I  will  do,"  said  the  curtal  friar, 
"  Of  thy  blasts  I  have  no  doubt; 
I  hope  thou  'It  blow  so  passing  well, 
Till  both  thy  eyes  fall  out. 

Robin  Hood  set  his  horn  to  his  mouth, 

He  blew  out  blasts  three; 
Half  a  hundred  yeomen,  with  bows  bent, 

Came  raking  over  the  lee. 

[38] 


tW  1HEY  took  their  swords  and  steel  bucklers, 
■*       Thei/  fought  with  might  and  main 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"  Whose  men  are  these,"  said  the  friar, 

"  That  come  so  hastily  ?  " 
"These  men  are  mine,"  said  Robin  Hood; 
Friar,  what  is  that  to  thee  ? ' 

"A  boon,  a  boon,"  said  the  curtal  friar, 

"  The  like  I  gave  to  thee; 
Give  me  leave  to  set  my  fist  to  my  mouth, 

And  to  whute  whues  three. 

"That  will  I  do,"  said  Robin  Hood, 

"Or  else  I  were  to  blame; 
Three  whues  in  a  friar's  fist 

Would  make  me  glad  and  fain." 

The  friar  set  his  fist  to  his  mouth, 

And  whuted  whues  three; 
Half  a  hundred  good  band-dogs 

Came  running  over  the  lee. 

"  Here's  for  every  man  a  dog, 

And  I  myself  for  thee. 
"  Nay,  by  my  faith, ' '  said  Robin  Hood, 

"Friar,  that  may  not  be." 

[39] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

Two  dogs  at  once  to  Robin  Hood  did  go, 
The  one  behind,  the  other  before; 

Robin  Hood's  mantle  of  Lincoln  green 
Off  from  his  back  they  tore. 

And  whether  his  men  shot  east  or  west, 

Or  they  shot  north  or  south, 
The  curtal  dogs,  so  taught  they  were, 

They  kept  the  arrows  in  their  mouth. 

"  Take  up  thy  dogs,"  said  Little  John; 

Friar,  at  my  bidding  be. ' ' 
1 '  Whose  man  art  thou, ' '  said  the  curtal  friar, 
"Comes  here  to  prate  with  me ? " 

"  I  am  Little  John,  Robin  Hood's  man; 

Friar,  I  will  not  lie. 
If  thou  take  not  up  thy  dogs  soon, 

I  '11  take  up  them  and  thee." 

Little  John  had  a  bow  in  his  hand, 

He  shot  with  might  and  main; 
Soon  half  a  score  of  the  friar's  dogs 

Lay  dead  upon  the  plain. 

[40] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"  Hold  thy  hand,  good  fellow,"  said  the  curtal  friar, 

"Thy  master  and  I  will  agree; 
And  we  will  have  new  orders  taken, 

With  all  the  haste  may  be." 

' '  If  thou  wilt  forsake  fair  Fountains  Dale, 

And  Fountains  Abbey  free, 
Every  Sunday  throughout  the  year, 

A  noble  shall  be  thy  fee. 

"And  every  holiday  through  the  year, 

Changed  shall  thy  garment  be, 
If  thou  wilt  go  to  fair  Nottingham, 

And  there  remain  with  me. 

This  curtal  friar  had  kept  Fountains  Dale 

Seven  long  years  and  more ; 
There  was  neither  knight,  lord,  nor  earl 

Could  make  him  yield  before. 


[41] 


LAN- 


a^<® 


2&0&tn  H00&  antr  QlmiuMult 

/^\R> a  pleasant  relation  how  a  young  gentleman, 
^S  being  in  love  with  a  young  damsel,  she  was 
taken  from  him  to  be  an  old  knight's  bride :  and 
how  Robin  Hood, pitying  the  young  mans  case, 
took  her  from  the  old  knight,  when  they  were  going 
to  be  married,  and  restored  her  to  her  love  again. 


To  a  pleasant  northern  tune : 

2&abin  tyaals  in  tnt  (Brttntoaatf  Jbtrnrtr. 

L/OME  listen  to  me,  you  gallants  so  free, 
All  you  that  love  mirth  for  to  hear, 

And  I  will  tell  you  of  a  bold  outlaw 
That  lived  in  Nottinghamshire. 

[45] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

As  Robin  Hood  in  the  forest  stood, 

All  under  the  greenwood  tree, 
There  he  was  aware  of  a  brave  young  man, 

As  fine  as  fine  might  be. 

The  youngster  was  clothed  in  scarlet  red, 

In  scarlet  fine  and  gay  ; 
And  he  did  frisk  it  over  the  plain, 

And  chanted  a  round-de-lay. 

As  Robin  Hood  next  morning  stood 

Amongst  the  leaves  so  gay, 
There  did  he  see  the  same  young  man 

Come  drooping  along  the  way. 

The  scarlet  he  wore  the  day  before — 

It  was  clean  cast  away  ; 
And  at  every  step  he  fetched  a  sigh, 

"Alack  and  a  well-a-day !" 

Then  stepped  forth  brave  Little  John 

And  Midge  the  miller's  son, 
Which  made  the  young  man  bend  his  bow, 

When  he  did  see  them  come. 

[46] 


A 


S  Robin  Hood  in  the  forest  stood. 
All  under  the  greenwood  tree 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"Stand  off,  stand  off/'  the  young  man  said, 
What  is  your  will  with  me  ? ' ' 
You  must  come  before  our  master  straight, 
Under  yon  greenwood  tree. 

And  when  he  came  bold  Robin  before, 
Robin  asked  him  courteously, 
Oh  hast  thou  any  money  to  spare 
For  my  merry  men  and  me  ? ' ' 

"I  have  no  money,"  the  young  man  said, 

"  But  five  shillings  and  a  ring; 
And  that  I  have  kept  this  seven  long  years, 

To  have  it  at  my  wedding. 

'  Yesterday  I  should  have  married  a  maid, 

But  she  soon  from  me  was  ta'en, 
And  chosen  to  be  an  old  knight's  delight, 
Whereby  my  poor  heart  is  slain." 

What  is  thy  name  ? ' '  then  said  Robin  Hood, 

Come  tell  me  without  any  fail. 
By  the  faith  of  my  body, ' '  then  said  the  young  man, 
"My  name  it  is  Alan-a-Dale. " 

[47] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"What  wilt  thou  give  me,"  said  Robin  Hood, 

"  In  ready  gold  or  fee, 
To  help  thee  to  thy  true  love  again, 

And  deliver  her  unto  thee  ? ' ' 

' '  I  have  no  money, ' '  then  quoth  the  young  man, 

"No  ready  gold  nor  fee, 
But  I  will  swear  upon  a  book 

Thy  true  servant  for  to  be. ' ' 

"  How  many  miles  is  it  to  thy  true  love? 

Come  tell  me  without  guile." 
' '  By  the  faith  of  my  body, ' '  then  said  the  young  man, 

"It  is  but  five  little  mile. 

Then  Robin  he  hasted  over  the  plain, 

He  did  neither  stint  nor  lin, 
Until  he  came  unto  the  church 

Where  Alan  should  keep  his  wedding. 

"  What  hast  thou  here  ?  "  the  bishop  then  said; 

' '  I  prithee  now  tell  unto  me. 
"  I  am  a  bold  harper,"  quoth  Robin  Hood, 

"  And  the  best  in  the  north  country." 

[48] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"  Oh  welcome,  oh  welcome,"  the  bishop  he  said, 

' '  That  music  best  pleaseth  me. 
"You  shall  have  no  music,"  quoth  Robin  Hood, 

"Till  the  bride  and  the  bridegroom  I  see." 

With  that  came  in  a  wealthy  knight, 

Which  was  both  grave  and  old, 
And  after  him  a  finikin  lass, 

Did  shine  like  the  glistering  gold. 

"  This  is  not  a  fit  match,"  quoth  bold  Robin  Hood, 

"  That  you  do  seem  to  make  here, 
For  since  we  are  come  into  the  church, 

The  bride  shall  choose  her  own  dear." 

Then  Robin  Hood  put  his  horn  to  his  mouth, 

And  blew  blasts  two  or  three  ; 
When  four  and  twenty  bowmen  bold 

Came  leaping  over  the  lee. 

And  when  they  came  into  the  church-yard, 

Marching  all  in  a  row, 
The  first  man  was  Alan-a-Dale, 

To  give  bold  Robin  his  bow. 

[49] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

" This  is  thy  true  love,"  Robin  he  said, 

"  Young  Alan,  as  I  hear  say; 
And  you  shall  be  married  at  this  same  time, 

Before  we  depart  away." 

That  shall  not  be, ' '  the  bishop  he  said, 
For  thy  word  shall  not  stand. 
They  shall  be  three  times  asked  in  the  church, 
As  the  law  is  of  our  land. 

Robin  Hood  pulled  off  the  bishop's  coat, 
And  put  it  upon  Little  John; 
By  the  faith  of  my  body, ' '  then  Robin  said, 
This  cloth  does  make  thee  a  man. 

When  Little  John  went  into  the  choir, 

The  people  began  to  laugh; 
He  asked  them  seven  times  in  the  church, 

Lest  three  times  should  not  be  enough. 

"  Who  gives  me  this  maid?  "  said  Little  John. 

Quoth  Robin  Hood,  "  That  do  I, 
And  he  that  takes  her  from  Alan-a-Dale, 

Full  dearly  he  shall  her  buy." 

[50] 


A 


XT)  thus  having  ended  his-  merry  wedding, 
The  //ride  looked  like  a  queen 


ROBIN    HOOD 

And  thus  having  end  of  this  merry  wedding, 

The  bride  looked  like  a  queen ; 
And  so  they  return 'd  to  the  merry  greenwood, 

Amongst  the  leaves  so  green. 


[51] 


OBli  15 


MoUn  $ootr  an*  tixt  m^ap 

SHOWING  how  Robin  Hood  went  to  an  old 
A*-J  woman's  house  and  changed  clothes  with  her 
to  escape  from  the  Bishop;  and  how  he  robbed  the 
Bishop  of  all  his  gold,  and  made  him  sing  a  mass. 

To  the  tune  of 

Rabin  ?&crirtr  antt  tin  &tratrfltt% 

l^OME,  gentlemen  all,  and  listen  awhile, 

And  a  story  I  '11  to  you  unfold;    I 
I  '11  tell  you  how  Robin  Hood  served  the  bishop, 

When  he  robbed  him  of  his  gold. 

[55] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

As  it  fell  out  on  a  sun-shining  day, 
When  Phoebus  was  in  his  prime, 

Then  Robin  Hood,  that  archer  good, 
In  mirth  would  spend  some  time.  . 

And  as  he  walked  the  forest  along, 

Some  pastime  for  to  spy, 
There  was  he  aware  of  a  proud  bishop, 

And  all  his  company. 

"Oh  what  shall  I  do,"  said  Robin  Hood  then, 

"  If  the  bishop  he  doth  take  me? 
No  mercy  he  '11  show  unto  me,  I  know, 

But  hanged  I  shall  be." 

Then  Robin  was  stout,  and  turned  him  about, 
And  a  little  house  there  he  did  spy; 

And  to  an  old  wife,  for  to  save  his  life, 
He  loud  began  for  to  cry. 

"  Why,  who  art  thou  ?  "  said  the  old  woman, 

"  Come  tell  to  me  for  good. " 
"I  am  an  outlaw,  as  many  do  know, 

My  name  it  is  Robin  Hood; 

[56] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"And  yonder 's  the  bishop  and  all  his  men, 

And  if  that  I  taken  be, 
Then  day  and  night  he  '11  work  my  spite, 

And  hanged  I  shall  be. ' ' 

L"  If  thou  be  Robin  Hood,"  said  the  old  wife, 

As  thou  dost  seem  to  be, 
I  '11  for  thee  provide,  and  thee  I  will  hide, 
From  the  bishop  and  his  company. 

For  I  remember,  one  Saturday  night, 
Thou  brought  me  both  shoes  and  hose; 
Therefore  I  '11  provide  thy  person  to  hide, 
And  keep  thee  from  thy  foes. 

' '  Then  give  me  soon  thy  coat  of  grey, 
And  take  thou  my  mantle  of  green; 

Thy  spindle  and  twine  unto  me  resign, 
And  take  thou  my  arrows  so  keen. 

And  when  Robin  Hood  was  thus  arrayed, 

He  went  straight  to  his  company, 
With  his  spindle  and  twine,  he  oft  looked  behind 

For  the  bishop  and  his  company. 

[57] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"Oh  who  is  yonder,"  quoth  Little  John, 

"That  now  comes  over  the  lee? 
An  arrow  I  will  at  her  let  fly, 

So  like  an  old  witch  looks  she." 

Oh  hold  thy  hand,  hold  thy  hand, ' '  said  Robin 

Hood  then, 
"And  shoot  not  thy  arrows  so  keen; 
I  am  Robin  Hood,  thy  master  good, 
And  quickly  it  shall  be  seen. 

The  bishop  he  came  to  the  old  woman's  house, 

And  called  with  furious  mood, 
"  Come  let  me  soon  see,  and  bring  unto  me, 

That  traitor  Robin  Hood." 

The  old  woman  he  set  on  a  milk-white  steed, 

Himself  on  a  dapple  grey; 
And  for  joy  he  had  got  Robin  Hood, 

He  went  laughing  all  the  way. 

But  as  they  were  riding  the  forest  along, 
The  bishop  he  chanced  for  to  see 

[58] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

An  hundred  brave  bowmen  bold 
Stand  under  the  greenwood  tree. 

''Oh  who  is  yonder,"  the  bishop  then  said, 
" That's  ranging  within  yonder  wood  ?  " 

"  Marry,"  says  the  old  woman,  "I  think  it  to  be 
A  man  called  Robin  Hood. ' ' 

"  Why,  who  art  thou,"  the  bishop  he  said, 

Which  I  have  here  with  me  ? ' ' 
"Why,  I  am  an  old  woman,  thou  merry  bishop; 
I  am  an  old  woman, ' '  said  she. 

Then  woe  is  me, ' '  the  bishop  he  said, 
That  ever  I  saw  this  day ! ' ' 
He  turned  him  about,  but  Robin  Hood  stout 
Called  him  and  bid  him  stay. 

Then  Robin  took  hold  of  the  bishop's  horse, 

And  tied  him  fast  to  a  tree; 
Then  Little  John  smiled  his  master  upon, 

For  joy  of  that  company. 

Robin  Hood  took  his  mantle  from  's  back, 
And  spread  it  upon  the  ground, 

[59] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

And  out  of  the  bishop's  portmantle  he 
Soon  told  five  hundred  pound. 

"  Now  let  him  go,"  said  Robin  Hood. 

Said  Little  John,  "  That  may  not  be; 
For  I  vow  and  protest  he  shall  sing  us  a  mass, 

Before  that  he  go  from  me." 

Then  Robin  Hood  took  the  bishop  by  the  hand, 

And  bound  him  fast  to  a  tree, 
And  made  him  sing  a  mass,  God  wot, 

To  him  and  his  yeomandree. 

And  then  they  brought  him  through  the  wood, 

And  set  him  on  his  dapple  grey, 
And  gave  him  the  tail  within  his  hand, 

And  bade  him  for  Robin  Hood  pray. 


[60] 


A 


XI)  gave  him  the  tail  within  his  //and, 
And  bade  him  for  Robin  Hood  pray 


EM 


—      «»-  — ,. 


JDENOWNED  Robin  Hood;  or  his  famous 
-*■  •/  archery  truly  related  in  the  famous  exploits 
he  acted  before  Queen  Katherine,  he  being  an  out- 
law man;  and  how  he  obtained  his  own  and  his 
fellows'  pardon. 


iF  that  I  live  a  year  to  an  end," 
Thus  did  Queen  Katherine  say, 
"Bold  Robin  Hood,  I  will  be  thy  friend, 
And  all  thy  yeomen  gay." 

The  queen  is  to  her  chamber  gone, 
As  fast  as  she  can  win; 

[63] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

She  calls  unto  her  lovely  page, 
His  name  was  Richard  Patrington. 

"  Come  thou  hither  to  me,  thou  lovely  page, 

Come  thou  hither  to  me; 
For  thou  must  post  to  Nottingham 

As  fast  as  thou  can  dree. 

' '  And  as  thou  goest  to  Nottingham, 

Search  all  the  English  wood, 
Enquire  of  one  good  yeoman  or  another, 

That  can  tell  thee  of  Robin  Hood." 

Sometimes  he  went,  sometimes  he  ran, 

As  fast  as  he  could  win; 
And  when  he  came  to  Nottingham, 

There  he  took  up  his  inn. 

And  when  he  came  to  Nottingham, 

And  had  took  up  his  inn, 
He  called  for  a  bottle  of  Rhenish  wine, 

And  drank  a  health  to  his  queen. 

[64] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

There  sat  a  yeoman  by  his  side, 
' '  Tell  me,  sweet  page, ' '  said  he, 

"  What  is  thy  business  and  thy  cause, 
So  far  in  the  north  country. 

'  This  is  my  business  and  the  cause, 

Sir,  I  '11  tell  it  you  for  good: 
To  enquire  of  one  good  yeoman  or  another, 
To  tell  me  of  Robin  Hood, 

"  I  '11  get  my  horse  betimes  in  the  morn, 

By  it  be  break  of  day, 
And  I  will  show  thee  bold  Robin  Hood, 

And  all  his  yeomen  gay. 

When  that  he  came  at  Robin  Hood's  place 

He  fell  down  on  his  knee; 
"Queen  Katherine  she  doth  greet  you  well, 

She  greets  you  well  by  me; 

"She  bids  you  post  to  fair  London  court, 

Not  fearing  anything; 
For  there  shall  be  a  little  sport, 

And  she  hath  sent  you  her  ring. 

[65] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

Robin  Hood  took  his  mantle  from  his  back, 

It  was  of  the  Lincoln  green, 
And  sent  it  by  this  lovely  page, 

For  a  present  unto  the  queen. 

In  summer  time,  when  leaves  grow  green, 

It  was  a  seemly  sight  to  see, 
How  Robin  Hood  himself  had  dressed, 

And  all  his  yeomandree. 

He  clothed  his  men  in  Lincoln  green, 

And  himself  in  scarlet  red; 
Black  hats,  white  feathers,  all  alike, 

Upon  each  yeoman's  head. 

And  when  he  came  at  London's  court, 

He  fell  down  on  his  knee. 
"Thou  art  welcome,  Locksley,"  said  the  queen, 

"And  all  thy  good  yeomandree." 


[66] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"The  king  is  gone  to  Finsbury  field ' 

Marching  in  battle  array, 
And  after  follows  bold  Robin  Hood, 

And  all  his  yeomen  gay. 

Come  hither,  Tepus, ' '  said  the  king, 
"  Bow-bearer  after  me; 
Come  measure  me  out  with  this  line 
How  long  our  mark  must  be. ' ' 

' '  What  is  the  wager  ? ' '  said  the  queen, 
: '  That  must  I  now  know  here. 

' '  Three  hundred  tun  of  Rhenish  wine, 
Three  hundred  tun  of  beer, 

' '  Three  hundred  of  the  fattest  harts 

That  run  on  Dallom  lee. 
That 's  a  princely  wager,"  said  the  king, 

' '  That  needs  must  I  tell  thee. 

With  that  bespake  one  Clifton  then, 
Full  quickly  and  full  soon: 


1  Ground  near  Moor/kid's,  London,  famous  in  old  times  for  the  archery 
practised  there. 

[67] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"  Measure  no  marks  for  us,  my  liege, 
We  '11  shoot  at  sun  and  moon." 

"  Full  fifteen  score  your  mark  shall  be, 

Full  fifteen  score  shall  stand. 
"I  '11  lay  my  bow,"  said  Clifton  then, 

*  *  I  '11  cleave  the  willow  wand."  1 

With  that  the  king's  archers  led  about, 

While  it  was  three  and  none; 
With  that  the  ladies  began  to  shout, 
Madam,  your  game  is  gone. 

"A  boon,  a  boon,"  Queen  Katherine  cries, 

"  I  crave  it  on  bended  knee. 
Is  there  any  knight  of  your  privy  counsel 

Of  Queen  Katherine's  part  will  be  ? 

"  Come  hither  to  me,  Sir  Richard  Lee, 

Thou  art  a  knight  full  good; 
For  I  do  know  by  thy  pedigree 

Thou  sprung'st  from  Gower's  blood. 


iJ  peeled  willow  wand  was  the  mark  at  which  the  contestants  were  to  shoot. 

[68] 


ROBIN    HOOD 

' '  Come  hither  to  me,  thou  bishop  of  Herefordshire, ' ' 

For  a  noble  priest  was  he. 
"By  my  silver  mitre,"  said  the  bishop  then, 

"  I  '11  not  bet  one  penny. " 

The  king  hath  archers  of  his  own, 
Full  ready  and  full  light, 
And  these  be  strangers  every  one, 
No  man  knows  what  they  hight 


>>  i 


'  What  wilt  thou  bet, ' '  said  Robin  Hood, 

Thou  seest  our  game  the  worse  ? ' 
By  my  silver  mitre, ' '  then  said  the  bishop, 
All  the  money  within  my  purse. 

"What  is  in  thy  purse  ?  "  said  Robin  Hood, 
'  Throw  it  down  on  the  ground. 
Fifteen  score  nobles, ' '  said  the  bishop ; 
"  It 's  near  an  hundred  pound." 

Robin  Hood  took  his  bag  from  his  side 
And  threw  it  down  on  the  green ; 

Will  Scadlocke  then  went  smiling  away, 
: '  I  know  who  this  money  must  win. 


Hight  —  are  called  or  named. 

[69] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

With  that  the  king's  archers  led  about, 

While  it  was  three  and  three; 
With  that  the  ladies  gave  a  shout, 

"  Woodcock,  beware  thy  knee! " 

" It  is  three  and  three,  now,"  said  the  king, 

"The  next  three  pays  for  all." 
Robin  Hood  went  and  whispered  the  queen, 

"  The  king's  part  shall  be  but  small. " 

Robin  Hood  he  led  about, 

He  shot  it  under  hand; 
And  Clifton,  with  a  bearing  arrow, 

He  clave  the  willow  wand. 

And  little  Midge,  the  miller's  son, 

He  shot  not  much  the  worse; 
He  shot  within  a  finger  of  the  prick: 

"  Now,  bishop,  beware  thy  purse!  " 

"  A  boon,  a  boon,"  Queen  Katherine  cries, 

"  I  crave  it  on  bended  knee: 
That  you  will  angry  be  with  none 

That  are  of  my  party. " 

[70] 


r)OBIN  HOOD  he  led  about, 
-*■  v    He  shot  it  under  hand 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"  They  shall  have  forty  days  to  come 

And  forty  days  to  go 
And  three  times  forty  to  sport  and  play; 

Then  welcome  friend  or  foe. 

"Thou  art  welcome,  Robin  Hood,"  said  the  queen, 

And  so  is  Little  John, 
And  so  is  Midge,  the  miller's  son; 
Thrice  welcome  every  one. 

"Is  this  Robin  Hood?  "  now  said  the  king; 

"For  it  was  told  to  me 
That  he  was  slain  in  the  palace  gates 

So  far  in  the  north  country. 

"Is  this  Robin  Hood,"  quoth  the  bishop  then, 

"As  it  seems  well  to  be ? 
Had  I  known  it  had  been  that  bold  outlaw 

I  would  not  have  bet  one  penny. 

"  He  took  me  late  one  Saturday  night 

And  bound  me  fast  to  a  tree, 
And  made  me  sing  a  mass,  God  wot, 

To  him  and  his  yeomandree. 

[71] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"  What  an  if  I  did?  "  says  Robin  Hood, 

' '  Of  that  mass  I  was  fain. 
' '  For  recompense  of  that, ' '  he  says, 

"  Here  's  half  thy  gold  again." 

"  Now  nay,  now  nay,"  says  Little  John, 

"Master,  that  shall  not  be. 
We  must  give  gifts  to  the  king's  officers; 

That  gold  will  serve  thee  and  me." 


[t-2] 


HE^ 


mo&itt  peon's  Cftasse 

OR,  a  merry  progress  between  Robin  Hood  and 
King  Henry,  showing-  how  Robin  Hood  led 
the  king  a  chase  from  London  to  London,  and 
when  he  had  taken  his  leave  of  the  queen  he 
returned  to  merry  Sherwood. 

To  the  tune  of 
3ttGfim  3i?ff0tr  antf  tfte  23*jjgat% 

l^/OME,  you  gallants  all,  to  you  I  do  call, 

That  now  are  in  this  place; 
For  a  song  I  will  sing  of  Henry  the  king, 

How  he  olid  Robin  Hood  chase. 

Queen  Katherine  she  a  match  did  make, 
As  plainly  doth  appear, 

[75] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

For  three  hundred  tun  of  good  red  wine 
And  three  hundred  tun  of  beer. 

But  yet  her  archers  she  had  to  seek, 
With  their  bows  and  arrows  so  good; 

But  her  mind  it  was  bent,  with  a  good  intent, 
To  send  for  bold  Robin  Hood. 

But  when  bold  Robin  he  came  there, 

Queen  Katherine  she  did  say, 
"Thou  art  welcome,  Locksley,"  said  the  queen, 

"And  all  thy  yeomen  gay; 

"  For  a  match  of  shooting  I  have  made, 
And  thou  on  my  part,  Robin,  must  be." 

"  If  I  miss  the  mark,  be  it  light  or  dark, 
Then  hanged  I  will  be.". 

But  when  the  game  came  to  be  played 

Bold  Robin  he  then  drew  nigh; 
With  this  mantle  of  green,  most  brave  to  be  seen, 

He  let  his  arrows  fly. 

[76] 


ROBIN    HOOD 

And  when  the  game  it  ended  was, 
Bold  Robin  won  it  with  a  grace ; 

But  after  the  king  was  angry  with  him 
And  vowed  he  would  him  chase. 

What  though  his  pardon  granted  was 

While  he  with  him  did  stay; 
But  yet  the  king  was  vexed  at  him  ] 

When  as  he  was  gone  his  way. 

Soon  after  the  king  from  the  court  did  hie, 

In  a,  furious,  angry  mood, 
And  often  enquired  both  far  and  near 

After  bold  Robin  Hood. 

But  when  the  king  to  Nottingham  came, 
Bold  Robin  was  in  the  wood. 
Oh  come  now, ' '  said  he,  ' '  and  let  me  see 
Who  can  find  me  bold  Robin  Hood." 

But  when  that  bold  Robin  he  did  hear 

The  king  had  him  in  chase, 
Then  said  Little  John,  "  'Tis  time  to  be  gone, 

And  go  to  some  other  place. 

[77] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

Then  away  they  went  from  merry  Sherwood, 

And  into  Yorkshire  he  did  hie; 
And  the  king  did  follow,  with  a  hoop  and  a  hollow, 

But  could  not  come  him  nigh. 

Yet  jolly  Robin  he  passed  along, 

And  went  straight  to  Newcastle  town; 

And  there  he  stayed  hours  two  or  three, 
And  then  to  Barwick  is  gone. 

When  the  king  did  see  how  Robin  did  flee, 

He  was  vexed  wondrous  sore; 
With  a  hoop  and  a  hollow  he  vowed  to  follow, 

And  take  him,  or  never  give  o'er. 

"Come  now,  let 's  away,"  then  cries  Little  John, 

"  Let  any  man  follow  that  dare; 
To  Carlisle  we  '11  hie  with  our  company, 

And  so  then  to  Lancaster. 

From  Lancaster  then  to  Chester  they  went, 

And  so  did  King  Henry; 
But  Robin  went  away,  for  he  durst  not  stay, 

For  fear  of  some  treachery. 

[78] 


i^jt^Tj^^^nm 

-.  ^Bjdj 

?1A 

vi  £ 

Vfltf 

V  ^^H 

Lucr  riTCH-  perkins- 

^^^^8 

■  ■  ■  . 

"  ~¥F  it  please  your  grace,  I  am  come  to  this  'place, 
•*■    For  to  speak  with  King  Henry" 


ROBIN     HOOD 

Says  Robin,  "  Come,  let  us  to  London  go, 

To  see  our  noble  queen's  face; 
It  may  be  she  wants  our  company, 

Which  makes  the  king  so  us  chase. ' ' 

When  Robin  he  came  Queen  Katherine  before, 

He  fell  low  upon  his  knee: 
"  If  it  please  your  grace,  I  am  come  to  this  place 

For  to  speak  with  King  Henry. 

Queen  Katherine  answered  bold  Robin  again, 
"  The  king  is  gone  to  merry  Sherwood; 

And  when  he  went  away,  to  me  he  did  say, 
He  would  go  and  seek  Robin  Hood. 

"  Then  fare  you  well,  my  gracious  queen, 

For  to  Sherwood  I  '11  hie  apace; 
For  fain  would  I  see  what  he  would  with  me, 

If  I  could  but  meet  with  his  grace. 

But  when  King  Henry  he  came  home, 

Full  weary  and  vexed  in  mind, 
And  that  he  did  hear  Robin  had  been  there, 

He  blamed  dame  Fortune  unkind. 

[79  1 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"You're  welcome  home,"  Queen  Katherine  cried, 

"  Henry,  my  sovereign  liege; 
Bold  Robin  Hood,  that  archer  good, 

Your  person  hath  been  to  seek. 

But  when  King  Henry  he  did  hear, 
That  Robin  had  been  there  him  to  seek , 

This  answer  he  gave:  "  He  's  a  cunning  knave, 
For  I  have  sought  him  this  whole  three  weeks." 

"  A  boon!  a  boon!  "  Queen  Katherine  cried, 

"I  beg  it  here  of  your  grace: 
To  pardon  his  life,  and  seek  not  strife. 

And  so  endeth  Robin  Hood's  chase. 


[SO] 


'And  »to  JM» 


Cite  ISoia  prtfrter  atrtr 

SHOWING  Robin  Hood's  encounter  with  a 
**-*  bold  peddler  and  how  he  was  afterward  found 
to  be  own  cousin  to  merry  Robin. 


1  HERE  chanced  to  be  a  peddler  bold, 
A  peddler  bold  he  chanced  to  be, 

He  rolled  his  pack  all  on  his  back, 
And  he  came  tripping  o'er  the  lee. 

[83] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

By  chance  he  met  two  troublesome  blades, 
Two  troublesome  blades  they  chanced  to  be 

The  one  of  them  was  bold  Robin  Hood, 
And  the  other  was  Little  John  so  free. 

'  Oh!  peddler,  peddler,  what  is  in  thy  pack? 

Come  speedily  and  tell  to  me." 
"  I  've  several  suits  of  the  gay  green  silks, 
And  silken  bowstrings  two  or  three." 

"  If  you  have  several  suits  of  the  gay  green  silks, 

And  silken  bowstrings  two  or  three, 
Then  it 's  by  my  body,"  cries  Little  John, 
One  half  your  pack  shall  belong  to  me. 

"Oh  nay,  oh  nay,"  says  the  peddler  bold, 

"  Oh  nay,  oh  nay,  that  can  never  be; 
For  there  's  never  a  man  from  fair  Nottingham 

Can  take  one-half  my  pack  from  me. 

i 

Then  the  peddler  he  pulled  off  his  pack, 
And  put  it  a  little  below  his  knee,    \ 

Saying,  ' '  If  you  move  me  one  perch  from  this, 
My  pack  and  all  shall  go  with  thee." 

[84] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

Then  Little  John  he  drew  his  sword, 

The  peddler  by  his  pack  did  stand, 
They  fought  until  they  both  did  sweat, 

Till  he  cried,  "  Peddler,  pray  hold  your  hand!  " 

Then  Robin  Hood  he  was  standing  by, 

And  he  did  laugh  most  heartily, 
Saying,  "  I  could  find  a  man  of  a  smaller  scale, 

Could  thrash  the  peddler  and  also  thee. 

' '  Go  you  try,  master, ' '  says  Little  John, 
"  Go  you  try,  master,  most  speedily, 

Or  by  my  body, ' '  says  Little  John, 

"I  am  sure  this  night  you  will  not  know  me." 

Then  Robin  Hood  he  drew  his  sword, 
And  the  peddler  by  his  pack  did  stand, 

They  fought  till  the  blood  in  streams  did  flow, 
Till  he  cried,  "  Peddler,  pray  hold  your  hand!  " 

"Peddler,  peddler,  what  is  thy  name? 

Come  speedily  and  tell  to  me. 
"  My  name!     My  name  I  ne'er  will  tell, 

Till  both  your  names  you  have  told  to  me. " 

[85] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"  The  one  of  us  is  bold  Robin  Hood, 

And  the  other  Little  John  so  free. ' ' 
' '  Now, ' '  says  the  peddler,  ' '  it  lays  to  my  good  will, 

Whether  my  name  I  choose  to  tell  to  thee. 

"  I  am  Gamble  Gold  of  the  gay  green  woods, 

And  travelled  far  beyond  the  sea; 
For  killing  a  man  in  my  father's  land, 

From  my  country  I  was  forced  to  flee." 

"  If  you  are  Gamble  Gold  of  the  gay  green  woods, 

And  travelled  far  beyond  the  sea, 
You  are  my  mother's  own  sister's  son; 

What  nearer  cousins,  then,  can  we  be?" 

They  sheathed  their  swords  with  friendly  words, 

So  merrily  they  did  agree, 
They  went  to  a  tavern  and  there  they  dined, 

And  bottles  cracked  most  merrily. 


[86] 


r M  1HEY  went  to  a  tavern  and  there  they  dined, 


1 


And  bottles  cracked  most  merrily 


OBIN  HOOD 

AIHI1I  BUT 


Mohin  PI00&  autr  tfte  Muttfttv 

A  MERR  Y  relation  how  Robin  met  a  butcher 
•*■*  in  the  forest  and  bought  both  his  mare  and 
his  meat;  how  he  sold  the  meat  in  Nottingham 
market  and  afterward  beguiled  the  sheriff  of  three 
hundred  pounds. 

To  the  tune  of 

&abin  tyaatj  antf  tfte  afocjirar. 

V/OME,  all  you  brave  gallants,  and  listen  awhile, 

That  are  this  bower1  within; 
For  of  Robin  Hood,  that  archer  good, 

A  song  I  intend  for  to  sing. 


1  In  the  bowers. 


[89] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

Upon  a  time  it  chanced  so 

Bold  Robin  in  forest  did  'spy 
A  jolly  butcher,  with  a  bonny  fine  mare, 

With  his  flesh  to  the  market  did  hie. 

"  Good  morrow,  good  fellow,"  said  jolly  Robin, 
"  What  food  hast  thou?    Tell  unto  me. 

Thy  trade  to  me  tell,  and  where  thou  dost  dwell, 
For  I  like  well  thy  company." 

The  butcher  he  answer'd  jolly  Robin, 

"  No  matter  where  I  dwell; 
For  a  butcher  I  am,  and  to  Nottingham 

I  am  going  my  flesh  to  sell. 

"What  's  the  price  of  thy  flesh? "  said  jolly  Robin, 

Come,  tell  it  soon  unto  me ; 
And  the  price  of  thy  mare,  be  she  never  so  dear, 
For  a  butcher  fain  would  I  be." 

"  The  price  of  my  flesh,"  the  butcher  replied, 

"  I  soon  will  tell  unto  thee; 
With  my  bonny  mare,  and  they  are  not  too  dear, 

Four  mark  thou  must  give  unto  me. 

[90] 


F 


OR  lie  sold  more  meat  for  one  penny 
Than  otliers  could  do  for  five 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"  Four  mark  I  will  give  thee,"  saith  jolly  Robin, 

' '  Four  mark  it  shall  be  thy  fee. 
The  money  come  count,  and  let  me  mount, 

For  a  butcher  I  fain  would  be. ' ' 

Now  Robin  he  is  to  Nottingham  gone, 

His  butcher's  trade  to  begin; 
With  good  intent  to  the  sheriff  he  went, 

And  there  he  took  up  his  inn. 

When  other  butchers  did  open  their  meat, 

Bold  Robin  he  then  begun; 
But  how  for  to  sell  he  knew  not  well, 

For  a  butcher  he  was  but  young. 

When  other  butchers  no  meat  could  sell, 

Robin  got  both  gold  and  fee; 
For  he  sold  more  meat  for  one  penny 

Than  others  could  do  for  three. 

But  when  he  sold  his  meat  so  fast, 

No  butcher  by  him  could  thrive; 
For  he  sold  more  meat  for  one  penny 

Than  others  could  do  for  five. 

[91] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

Which  made  the  butchers  of  Nottingham 

To  study  as  they  did  stand, 
Saying,  "  Surely  he  is  some  prodigal, 

That  hath  sold  his  father's  land." 

The  butchers  stepped  to  jolly  Robin, 

Acquainted  with  him  for  to  be. 
"  Come,  brother,"  one  said,  "  we  be  all  of  one  trade, 

' '  Come,  will  you  go  dine  with  me  ? ' ' 

"Accurst  of  his  heart,"  said  jolly  Robin, 

"  That  a  butcher  doth  deny; 
I  will  go  with  you,  my  brethren  true, 

As  fast  as  I  can  hie. 

But  when  to  the  sheriff's  house  they  came, 

To  dinner  they  hied  apace, 
And  Robin  Hood  he  the  man  must  be 

Before  them  all  to  say  grace. 

"Pray  God  bless  us  all,"  said  jolly  Robin, 

"And  our  meat  within  this  place; 
A  cup  of  sack  so  good  will  nourish  our  blood, 

And  so  do  I  end  my  grace. 

[92] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"  Come  fill  us  more  wine,"  said  jolly  Robin, 
"Let  us  be  merry  while  we  do  stay; 

For  wine  and  good  cheer,  be  it  never  so  dear, 
I  vow  I  the  reck'ning  will  pay. 

"  Come,  brothers,  be  merry,"  said  jolly  Robin, 
"Let  us  drink  and  never  give  o'er; 

For  the  shot  I  will  pay,  ere  I  go  my  way, 
If  it  cost  me  five  pounds  and  more. " 

"This  is  a  mad  blade,"  the  butchers  then  said. 

Says  the  sheriff,  "He  is  some  prodigal, 
That  some  land  has  sold  for  silver  and  gold, 

And  now  he  doth  mean  to  spend  all. 

"  Hast  thou  any  horn  beasts,"  the  sheriff  replied, 

"  Good  fellow,  to  sell  unto  me?  " 
'  Yes,  that  I  have,  good  master  sheriff, 
I  have  hundreds  two  or  three, 

"And  a  hundred  acres  of  good  free  land, 

If  you  please  it  to  see; 
And  I  '11  make  you  as  good  assurance  of  it, 

As  ever  my  father  made  me. 

[93] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

The  sheriff  he  saddled  his  good  palfrey, 
And  with  three  hundred  pounds  in  gold, 

Away  he  went  with  bold  Robin  Hood, 
His  horned  beasts  to  behold. 

Away  then  the  sheriff  and  Robin  did  ride, 

To  the  forest  of  merry  Sherwood; 
Then  the  sheriff  did  say,  "  God  bless  us  this  day 

From  a  man  they  call  Robin  Hood ! ' ' 

But  when  a  little  farther  they  came, 

Bold  Robin  he  chanced  to  spy 
A  hundred  head  of  good  red  deer, 

Come  tripping  the  sheriff  full  nigh. 

"How  like  you  my  horned  beasts,  good  master  sheriff? 

They  be  fat  and  fair  for  to  see. 
"  I  tell  thee,  good  fellow,  I  would  I  were  gone 

For  I  like  not  thy  company." 

Then  Robin  set  his  horn  to  his  mouth 

And  blew  but  blasts  three; 
Then  quickly  anon  there  came  Little  John 

And  all  his  company. 

[94] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"What  is  your  will,  master  ?  "  then  said  Little  John. 

Good  master,  come  tell  unto  me. 
' '  I  have  brought  hither  the  sheriff  of  Nottingham 
This  day  to  dine  with  thee. 

He  is  welcome  to  me, ' '  then  said  Little  John, 
"  I  hope  he  will  honestly  pay; 
I  know  he  has  gold,  if  it  be  but  well  told, 
Will  serve  us  to  drink  a  whole  day. 

Then  Robin  took  his  mantle  from  his  back, 

And  laid  it  upon  the  ground, 
And  out  of  the  sheriff's  portmantle 

He  told  three  hundred  pound. 

Then  Robin  he  brought  him  through  the  wood, 

And  set  him  on  his  dapple  grey. 
"  Oh  have  me  commended  to  your  wife  at  home," 

So  Robin  went  laughing  away. 


[95] 


Mabin  Plootr  mxir  tfte  beggar 

QHOWING  how  Robin  Hood  and  the  beggar 
**J  fought,  and  how  he  changed  clothes  with  the 
beggar,  and  how  he  went  a  begging  to  Nottingham, 
and  how  he  saved  three  brethren  from  being  hanged 
for  stealing  of  deer. 

To  the  tune  of 

MotitiT  ?t?00tr  antf  tfte  Jrtraufln\ 

l^OME  and  listen,  you  gentlemen  all, 
That  mirth  do  love  for  to  hear, 

And  a  story  true  I  '11  tell  unto  you, 
If  that  you  will  but  draw  near. 

[99] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

In  elder  times,  when  merriment  was, 

And  archery  was  holden  good, 
There  was  an  outlaw,  as  many  do  know, 

Which  men  called  Robin  Hood. 

Upon  a  time  it  chanced  so 

Bold  Robin  was  merry  disposed, 
His  time  to  spend  he  did  intend, 

Either  with  friend  or  foes. 

Then  he  got  upon  a  gallant  brave  steed, 
The  which  was  worth  angels  ten, 

With  a  mantle  of  green,  most  brave  to  be  seen, 
He  left  all  his  merry  men. 

And  riding  towards  Nottingham, 

Some  pastime  for  to  'spy, 
There  was  he  aware  of  a  jolly  beggar, 

As  ere  he  beheld  with  his  eye. 

An  old  patched  coat  the  beggar  had  on, 

Which  he  daily  did  use  to  wear; 
And  many  a  bag  about  him  did  wag, 

Which  made  Robin  to  him  repair. 

[100] 


S~yQT)  speed,  God  speed"  said  Robin  Hood, 
^—*    "  What  countryman  ?     Tell  to  me" 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"  God  speed,  God  speed,"  said  Robin  Hood, 
' '  What  countryman  ?    Tell  to  me. ' ' 

"  I  am  Yorkshire,  sir;  but,  ere  you  go  far, 
Some  charity  give  unto  me. ' ' 

"Why,  what  wouldst  thou  have?"  said  Robin  Hood. 

" I  pray  thee  tell  unto  me." 
"No  lands  nor  livings,"  the  beggar  he  said, 

"But  a  penny  for  charity." 

"I  have  no  money,"  said  Robin  Hood  then, 

' '  But  am  a  ranger  within  the  wood ; 
I  am  an  outlaw,  as  many  do  know, 

My  name  it  is  Robin  Hood. 

"  But  yet  I  must  tell  thee,  bonny  beggar, 

That  a  bout  with  thee  I  must  try; 
Thy  coat  of  grey  lay  down,  I  say, 

And  my  mantle  of  green  shall  lie  by." 

"Content,  content,"  the  beggar  he  cried, 

"Thy  part  it  will  be  the  worse; 
For  I  hope  this  bout  to  give  thee  the  rout, 

And  then  have  at  thy  purse. 

[101] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

So  the  beggar  he  had  a  mickle  long  staff, 
And  Robin  had  a  nut-brown  sword ; 

So  the  beggar  drew  nigh,  and  at  Robin  let  fly, 
But  gave  him  never  a  word. 

"Fight  on,  fight  on,"  said  Robin  Hood  then, 

"This  game  well  pleaseth  me!" 
For  every  blow  that  Robin  gave, 

The  beggar  gave  buffets  three. 

And  fighting  there  full  hard  and  sore, 

Not  far  from  Nottingham  town, 
They  never  fled  till  from  Robin  Hood's  head 

The  blood  came  trickling  down. 

"Oh  hold  thy  hand,"  said  Robin  Hood  then, 

"  And  thou  and  I  will  agree." 
"  If  that  be  true,"  the  beggar  he  said, 

"Thy  mantle  come  give  unto  me." 

"Now  a  change,  a  change,"  cried  Robin  Hood, 

"  Thy  bags  and  coat  give  me; 
And  this  mantle  of  mine  I  '11  to  thee  resign, 

My  horse  and  my  bravery." 

[102] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

When  Robin  had  got  the  beggar's  clothes, 

He  looked  round  about. 
" Methinks, "  said  he,  "I  seem  to  be 

A  beggar  brave  and  stout. 

"For  now  I  have  a  bag  for  my  bread, 

So  have  I  another  for  corn; 
I  have  one  for  salt,  and  another  for  malt, 

And  one  for  my  little  horn. 

"  And  now  I  will  a  begging  go, 

Some  charity  for  to  find. 
And  if  any  more  of  Robin  you  '11  know, 

In  the  second  part  't  is  behind. 

THE   SECOND   PART 

Now  Robin  he  is  to  Nottingham  bound, 
With  his  bag  hanging  down  to  his  knee, 

His  staff,  and  his  coat,  scarce  worth  a  groat, 
Yet  merrily  passed  he. 

As  Robin  he  passed  the  streets  along, 
He  heard  a  pitiful  cry; 

[103] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

Three  brethren  dear,  as  he  did  hear, 
Condemned  were  to  die. 

Then  Robin  he  hied  to  the  sheriff's, 

Some  relief  for  to  seek; 
He  skipt,  and  leapt,  and  capered  full  high 

As  he  went  along  the  street. 

But  when  to  the  sheriff's  door  he  came, 
There  a  gentleman  fine  and  brave, 

"Thou  beggar,"  said  he,  "come  tell  unto  me 
What  it  is  thou  wouldst  have." 

"No  meat,  nor  drink,"  said  Robin  Hood  then, 

"That  I  come  here  to  crave; 
But  to  get  the  lives  of  yeomen  three, 

And  that  I  fain  would  have." 

"  That  cannot  be,  thou  bold  beggar, 

Their  fact  it  is  so  clear; 
I  tell  to  thee  they  hanged  must  be, 

For  stealing  of  our  king's  deer." 

[104] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

But  when  to  the  gallows  they  did  come 

There  was  many  a  weeping  eye. 
"Oh hold  your  peace,"  said  Robin  Hood  then, 

"For  certainly  they  shall  not  die." 

Then  Robin  he  set  his  horn  to  his  mouth, 

And  he  blew  out  blasts  three, 
Till  a  hundred  bold  archers  brave 

Came  kneeling  down  to  his  knee. 

"  What  is  your  will,  master?  "  they  said. 
"We  are  here  at  your  command." 
Shoot  east,  shoot  west, ' '  said  Robin  Hood  then, 
"And  see  you  spare  no  man." 

Then  they  shot  east,  then  they  shot  west, 

Their  arrows  were  so  keen, 
The  sheriff  he  and  his  company 

No  longer  could  be  seen. 

Then  he  stepped  to  those  brethren  three 

And  away  he  has  them  ta'en; 
The  sheriff  was  crost  and  many  a  man  lost 

That  dead  lay  on  the  plain. 

[105] 


ROBIN     HOOD 


And  away  they  went  into  the  merry  greenwood 

And  sung  with  a  merry  glee; 
Then  Robin  Hood  took  those  brethren  good 

To  be  of  his  yeomandry 


[106] 


Cite  0ablt  dfisfterman 

O//O  WING  how  Robin  Hood  won  a  prize  on 
*»-'  £Ae  s^a,  and  how  he  gave  the  one  half  to  his 
dame,  and  the  other  to  the  building  of  an  alms- 
house. 

To  the  tune  of 

In  Jrumnur  Kime,  ttc, 

IN  summer  time  when  leaves  grow  green, 
When  they  do  grow  both  green  and  long, 

Of  a  bold  outlaw,  called  Robin  Hood, 
It  is  of  him  I  sing  this  song,  — 

When  the  lily  leaf  and  the  eglantine 
Do  bud  and  spring  with  a  merry  cheer, 

[109] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"What  is  thy  name,  thou  fine  fellow? 

I  pray  thee  heartily  tell  it  to  me. 
"  In  my  own  country,  where  I  was  born, 

Men  call  me  Simon  over  the  Lee. 

Simon,  Simon, ' '  said  the  good  wife, 
"  I  wish  thou  mayest  well  brook  thy  name. " 
The  outlaw  was  ware  of  her  courtesy, 
And  rejoiced  he  had  got  such  a  dame. 

Simon,  wilt  thou  be  my  man  ? 
And  good  round  wages  I  '11  give  thee. 
I  have  as  good  a  ship  of  my  own 
As  any  sails  upon  the  sea. 

"Anchors  and  planks  thou  shalt  not  want, 
Masts  and  ropes  that  are  so  long. 
And  if  you  thus  do  furnish  me, 
Said  Simon,  ' '  nothing  shall  go  wrong. 

They  plucked  up  anchor  and  away  did  sail, 

More  of  a  day  then  two  or  three; 
When  others  cast  in  their  baited  hooks, 

The  bare  lines  into  the  sea  cast  he. 

[in] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"  It  will  be  long,"  said  the  master  then, 
"  Ere  this  great  lubber  do  thrive  on  the  sea; 

I  '11  assure  you  he  shall  have  no  part  of  our  fish, 
For  in  truth  he  is  no  part  worthy." 

"  Oh  woe  is  me! "  said  Simon  then, 
This  day  that  ever  I  came  here  1 
I  wish  I  were  in  Plompton  park, 
In  chasing  of  the  fallow  deer. 

"For  every  clown  laughs  me  to  scorn, 
And  they  by  me  set  nought  at  all; 

If  I  had  them  in  Plompton  park, 
I  would  set  as  little  by  them  all." 

They  plucked  up  anchor  and  away  did  sail, 

More  of  a  day  than  two  or  three; 
But  Simon  espied  a  ship  of  war, 

That  sailed  towards  them  most  valorously. 

"Oh  woe  is  me!  "  said  the  master  then, 

"  This  day  that  ever  I  was  born! 
For  all  our  fish  we  have  got  to-day 

Is  every  bit  lost  and  forlorn. 

[112] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

"  For  your  French  robbers  on  the  sea, 
They  will  not  spare  of  us  one  man, 

But  carry  us  to  the  coast  of  France, 
And  leave  us  in  the  prison  strong. 

But  Simon  said,  ' '  Do  not  fear  them, 
Neither,  master,  take  you  no  care; 

Give  me  my  bent  bow  in  my  hand, 
And  never  a  Frenchman  will  I  spare. ' ' 

"  Hold  thy  peace,  thou  long  lubber, 
For  thou  art  nought  but  brags  and  boast; 

If  I  should  cast  thee  overboard, 
There  's  but  a  simple  lubber  lost." 

Simon  grew  angry  at  these  words, 

And  so  angry  then  was  he, 
That  he  took  his  bent  bow  in  his  hand, 

And  in  the  ship-hatch  goeth  he. 

"  Master,  tie  me  to  the  mast,"  saith  he, 
"  That  at  my  mark  I  may  stand  fair, 

And  give  me  my  bent  bow  in  my  hand, 
And  never  a  Frenchman  will  I  spare. 

[113] 


ROBIN    HOOD 


He  drew  his  arrow  to  the  very  head, 
And  drew  it  with  all  his  might  and  main, 

And  straightway,  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye, 
Doth  the  Frenchman's  heart  the  arrow  gain. 


Oh,  master,  loose  me  from  the  mast, ' '  he  said, 
"And  for  them  all  take  you  no  care; 
For  give  me  my  bent  bow  in  my  hand, 
And  never  a  Frenchman  will  I  spare. 

Then  straight  they  boarded  the  French  ship, 

The  dead  all  lying  in  their  sight, 
They  found  within  that  ship  of  war 

Twelve  thousand  pounds  of  money  bright. 

"  The  one-half  of  the  ship,"  said  Simon  then, 
"  I  '11  give  to  my  dame  and  children  small; 

The  other  half  of  the  ship  I  '11  bestow 
On  you  that  are  my  fellows  all. 

But  now  bespake  the  master  then, 
For  so,  Simon,  it  shall  not  be, 

[114] 


ROBIN     HOOD 

For  you  have  won  it  with  your  own  hand, 
And  the  owner  of  it  you  shall  be. ' ' 

"  It  shall  be  so,  as  I  have  said; 

And,  with  this  gold,  for  the  oppressed 
An  habitation  I  will  build, 

Where  they  shall  live  in  peace  and  rest." 


[115] 


